Sarkozy vs Hollande: the poll war

The final slate of candidates for the French presidential election will soon be known. The Constitutional Council has until Friday to receive the 500 signatures from local officials, and until Monday to certify them. But for François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, the war is on, and the tactics seem clear: carpet bombing for Sarkozy who is pulling out new ideas almost everyday, and staying out of trouble for Hollande.

A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University, he was a journalist in New York for ten years before joining FRANCE 24 in 2009. He is specialised in French politics, Africa and the Middle East.